Medical Assisting

In the event that the number of applicants exceeds maximum capacity, a college admission committee will determine student selection. Students will be notified by letter regarding admission into the Medical Assisting program. Each college will determine the admission committee membership.

Please note that admission to the Medical Assisting program is not based on a selective admissions process at this time. We may elect to choose a selective admissions process for future academic years.

1. You must meet the admissions requirements of the college. This information is available in the Admissions Office.
2. Submit a completed application indicating Medical Assisting as your program choice.
3. The student must provide a copy to the college of the following requirements for admissions into the Diploma Program:
   1. Copy of all college transcripts. It must be an official transcript if transferring credit from another institution.
4. Program admission will be based on successful completion of pre-requisite courses.
5. Complete all pre-requisite courses with a "C" or above by the fall semester of each academic year for the Leestown cohort and the spring semester of each academic year for the Winchester cohort. The fall semester is the beginning of the specific medical assisting course offerings at Leestown and the spring semester is the beginning of the specific medical assisting course offerings at Winchester. All pre-requisites must be completed before the fall semester for Leestown cohort and the spring semester for the Winchester cohort in order to continue in the Medical Assisting Program.
6. Students must attend one of the Pre-Medical Assisting Information Conferences: 
   1. Meetings will be held in the Medical Assisting classroom on the Leestown Campus Building M room 117. Please check the webpage for a list of the current dates and times for the Pre-Medical Assisting Information Conferences.
7. Once admitted to the program, the following health requirements must be provided to the Program Director prior to the students’ clinical externship. Failure to turn in the health requirements will result in a delay of the student starting their clinical externship and may cause them to fail the course.
   1. Copy of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) or a titer (laboratory test) for MMR. The titer is a blood test for the antibodies; a “positive” results is necessary to have immunity. If the results are negative, a vaccination is required.
   2. Copy of proof of TB skin test (good for 1 year from date given). Results should be negative; must be read 2 days after administration; if results are positive or have been in the past, a chest x-ray will be necessary, as well as documentation from the doctor who treated you.
   3. Copy of proof of tetanus toxoid within the last 10 years.
   4. Hepatitis B vaccine or signed waiver. This is a vaccination against the blood borne disease that affects the liver; given in a series of 3 injections, after the initial injection is given, second is given 1 month after and the third is given 6 months later. May be obtained through some health departments, but most often obtained through your family physician.
   5. Current CPR Card (copy) Must be for the Health Care Provider through the American Heart Association.
   6. Drug Screen – 10 panel
   7. Background check
   8. Current season flu shot
   9. Varicella Immunization, titer, or documentation that you have had an active case of the Chickenpox.
   10. CastleBranch Account-information to be provided.

**Please note that not all clinical sites accept a signed waiver for Hepatitis B, Varicella, or tetanus.**

Complete the Certificate in one semester!

8-9 credit hours

• PHB 100 Phlebotomy Lecture - 6 Credit Hours (Days and time vary based on campus)
• PHB 155 Phlebotomy Clinicals - 2-3 Credit Hours (Minimum 120-180 Clinical Hours - TBA)

To Register

• Complete BCTC admission requirements (www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu)
  After completion, a letter will be sent to you with advising and registration dates.
• The certificate may not qualify for financial aid. Students may be eligible for the Work Ready Scholarship.
• Student must be available to complete at least 120 clinical hours for PHB 155.  Clinical sites may be local OR as far away as 1 ½ hour drive one-way commute from Lexington.  We will try to locate clinical sites as close to Lexington as possible.  Cost related to travel will be the student’s expense.  Hours will vary Monday – Friday, the student will be required to establish their clinical schedule with their scheduled clinical site upon assignment.
• The Phlebotomy Certificate program does require a significant time commitment.  Students must be able to commit to 120-180 clinical hours (approximately 24 hours per week during the second ½ of the semester of the certificate program, exact dates and times cannot be guaranteed as this is all dependent on clinical placement locations).  Excellent attendance throughout the semester is critical to the success of the student.

For further information, please contact:

Crystal Casey, CMA (AAMA)
Phlebotomy Coordinator
(859) 246-6482
crystal.casey@kctcs.edu

Immunization Needed for Phlebotomy Clinicals:

1. Copy of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) or a titer (laboratory test) for MMR. The titer is a blood test for the antibodies; a “positive” result is necessary to have immunity. If the results are negative, a vaccination is required.
2. Copy of proof of TB skin test (good for 1 year from date given). Results should be negative; if results are positive or have been in the past, a chest x-ray will be necessary, as well as documentation from the doctor who treated you.  Students can have a 1-step, 2-step, or blood test to show negative results.
3. Copy of proof of tetanus toxoid within the last 10 years.
4. Hepatitis B vaccine or signed waiver. This is a vaccination against the blood borne disease that affects the liver; given in a series of 3 injections, after the initial injection is given, second is given 1 month after and the third is given 6 months later. May be obtained through some health departments, but most often obtained through your family physician.
5. Drug Screen – 10 panel (this is purchased through CastleBranch)
6. Background check (this is purchased through CastleBranch)
7. Current season flu shot
8. Varicella Immunization, titer, or documentation that you have had an active case of the Chickenpox.
9. COVID-19 – initial series and a booster.  All our clinical sites are requiring the COVID-19 vaccine; however, some may accept a waiver.  We cannot guarantee placement at a clinical site that accepts a waiver or that clinical sites will continue to accept a waiver.
10. CastleBranch Account-information to be provided.

*Please note that current requirements as stated above are subject to change at any time based on our clinical sites.

The below chart has been estimated on the cost of the required materials for the program.  Some of the items may be more or could be less than what is stated below.

The Bluegrass Community and Technical College Leestown Campus Diploma Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Graduates of this program must meet eligibility requirements for taking the national certification examination in medical assisting by the American Associate of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the American Medical Technologists (AMT).  Upon passing one of the certification examinations, the graduates may use the credential CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) following their name with all rights and privileges.  For further information regarding certification requirements or questions regarding the medical assisting profession please contact:

American Association of Medical Assistants

American Medical Technologist

For more information regarding the medical assisting program and certification requirements contact: